Director of Financial Aid (54636)

Director of Financial Aid

FLSA Classification

Full Time Exempt

Reports to

Vice President for Enrollment Management

Job Description

Summary/Objective

The Director of Financial Aid manages financial aid processes and staff ensuring a strong commitment to customer service and problem solving. The Director is responsible for the overall administration of all financial aid programs and providing leadership and effective management to ensure compliance with federal state and institutional financial aid program policies and regulations for traditional and adult nontraditional degree programs. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for developing strategies procedures and policies that maximize the use of financial aid dollars to promote the recruitment and retention of students at Randolph College.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Administer the comprehensive financial aid program including federal Title IV student financial aid state grants loans and grants from private sources along with institutional grants and scholarships.
• Manage the Office of Financial Aid personnel.
• Alongside the Operations Coordinator Manage the Office of Financial Aid operating budget.
• Manage the student financial aid budget and strategies for delivery of student aid and the analysis and implementation of appropriate financial aid models; strategically award financial aid for maximum return on recruitment enrollment and retention. This includes monitoring and oversight of the Colleges Federal Work Study Program.
• Oversee debt management and financial literacy education for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV Funds process including U.S. Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications.
• Coordinate student loan processing between students federal government and the institution.
• Advise the Dean of Admission on industry trends financial aid best practices and strategy development.
• Oversee the appropriate allocation of College sponsored and endowed scholarships as specified by donors and as required by the Office of Development and Business Office. Work closely with the Office of Development and Business Office on the appropriate management of these scholarships.
• Stay abreast of industry and technical knowledge and implement new regulatory requirements.
• Prepare disseminate and oversee internal and external surveys and reports contributing to institutional research preparation reports for federal state regulatory agencies and institutional reports and provide data for independent annual audits while serving as the primary resource for required audit functions for financial aid programs.
• Manage the financial aid parts of PowerFAIDS (student information system software) and databases.
• Develop implement and revise operating policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws regulations and university policies related to financial aid and scholarships.
• Participate as a speaker for campus events such as Open Houses Admitted Student Day FAFSA Workshops and other local/community events.
• Represent the College at local state and regional financial aid functions.
• Serving on University committees and task groups.
• Directly supervise staff in accordance with the Colleges policies and applicable laws.
• Interview and hire staff; assist with training; plan assign and direct work; appraise performance; address complaints and resolve problems.
• Work effectively with a diverse population of students employees visitors and guests.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations and the ability to apply them to daily operations.
• Team leader personality and staff management skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to work collegially and collaboratively with a team and ability to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Ability to generate and analyze statistical data and provide reports.
• Strong interpersonal analytical organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success and quality customer service delivery.
• Computer experience and the ability to interface several computer programs.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid Office providing leadership and supervision to 2 staff members who collectively administer $10M in student aid funds for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Directly supervises the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Financial Aid Counselor. This position reports directly to the Dean of Admission.
• Provide management and on-going direction and vision of the Office of Financial Aid.
• Identify and prioritize new initiatives related to student financial aid and scholarships.
• Evaluate the department for effectiveness and productivity and make changes in business processes as needed.
• Develop and manage the units operational budget.
• Ensure website content for the department is accurate and up to date.
• Demonstrate consultative leadership and responsibility for committee decisions (student issues and appeals) and for student withdrawals/refunds.
• Serve as the hiring authority for the Office of Financial Aid.
• Provide oversight of Financial Aid employees including the reward and discipline of employees address staff complaints and resolve work environment issues.
• Lead staff meetings promote the development of ideas for improved service and efficiency and encourage teamwork.
• Oversee staff training to ensure compliance with federal state and university regulations and quality service to students families and campus constituents.
• Instill a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration; assess monitor and improve measures of employee engagement; actively mentor and coach staff; conduct performance reviews of staff and promote meaningful work for student employees.
• Demonstrate and promote a high level of communication within and beyond the department.

Work environment

• This position is based in Lynchburg VA and requires an on-campus presence.
• May be required to work nights and weekends.

Physical Demands

• May occasionally lift 25/30 lbs.

Travel Required

• Travel may be required.
• A valid Drivers License is required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree is required along with a minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in financial aid.
• Accounting skills/background.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Seven years experience in an admission/financial aid-related capacity
• Experience with PowerFAIDS financial aid system a plus but not required.
• Graduate degree in higher education or similar field

Additional Eligibility Requirements

A cover letter and resume should be included as application materials.

Work authorization/security clearance requirements

Must meet employment requirements to work legally in the U.S. and be able to pass a background check as a condition of employment.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin protected veteran status disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Other duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.